Are younger German gay men more at risk from HIV? Results of a national survey in the gay press in Germany

Youth is often said to be associated with risk behaviour among gay men. This hypothesis was reviewed in the light of findings from a survey conducted among gay men in Germany. In 1996 ten of the most important gay magazines in Germany circulated a self-administered questionnaire to their readers. A total of 3048 men responded (17% from Eastern Germany, 83% from Western Germany). For respondents aged 21-29, the survey found no evidence of a higher risk (defined as engaging in unprotected anal intercourse with partners of unknown or discordant serostatus) compared with men aged 30-54. Of those under 21 years of age, however, 65% reported no risk behaviour in the previous twelve months, compared with 76% of subjects aged 21-54. Younger men were more likely to have no experience of anal intercourse, to have a lower frequency of total risk contacts and to have fewer sex partners. Youthfulness in itself cannot therefore be labelled a risk factor: The context of risk taking requires a more differentiated analysis.